Polymer chemistry patents

In accordance with one aspect, a thermally regulating construction material comprises a base material and a polymeric phase change material bound to the base material, wherein the base material provides reversible temperature regulation properties to the building construction material. In accordance with another aspect, an insulation material for use in building construction comprises a base material and a polymeric phase change material bound to the base material, wherein the base material provides reversible temperature regulation properties to the insulation material. The base material may be selected from the group consisting of foam insulation, loose fill insulation, and batted insulation.

Functional polymeric phase change materials and methods of manufacturing the same

A composition comprising a functional polymeric phase change material, the functional polymeric phase change material carrying at least one reactive function, wherein the reactive function is capable of forming at least a first covalent bond. In certain embodiments, the reactive function is capable of forming at least a first covalent bond with a second material. In other embodiments, the functional polymeric phase change material comprises at least one crystallizable section and may also comprise a backbone chain and a plurality of side chains, wherein the plurality of side chains form the crystallizable section.

An article comprises a substrate, a first functional polymeric phase change material, and a plurality of containment structures that contain the first functional polymeric phase change material. The article may further comprise a second phase change material chemically bound to at least one of the plurality of containment structures or the substrate. In certain embodiments, the article further comprises a second phase change material and a binder that contains at least one of the first polymeric phase change material and the second phase change material. The containment structure may b a microcapsule or a particulate confinement material.

Heat regulating article with moisture enhanced temperature control

An article having reversible thermal regulation properties comprises a substrate and a functional polymeric phase change material having a heat carrying capacity. The article is further characterized by a chemical function having moisture adsorbing properties that increase the heat carrying capacity.

A process for the estimation of physical and chemical properties of a proposed polymeric or copolymeric substance or material

A process for the estimation of the physical properties of a proposed polymer comprises computing the chemical composition of the polymer from input data representing attributes of a monomer or monomers, computing properties of the polymer when three-dimensionally folded, computing a model of the folded molecular composition as a polymeric cluster and displaying the cluster on a graphics device.

Biodegradable compositions of synthetic and natural polymers

A biodegradable interpolymer and composition is prepared by the reactive blending of a synthetic polymer having functional groups with a naturally occurring biodegradable polymer such as a protein compound. During reactive blending, the synthetic polymer can undergo a chemical reaction with the biodegradable natural polymer which results in covalent and physical bonding between the two polymers, thereby forming an interpolymer. By this process, a biodegradable interpolymer composition is produced that is suitable for moulding various articles.

Biopolymer optical waveguide and method of manufacturing the same

A method of manufacturing a biopolymer optical waveguide includes providing a biopolymer, unwinding the biopolymer progressively to extract individual biopolymer fibers, and putting the unwound fibers under tension. The tensioned fibers are then cast in a different polymer to form a biopolymer optical waveguide that guides light due to the difference in indices of refraction between the biopolymer and the different polymer. The optical fibers may be used in biomedical applications and can be inserted in the body as transmissive media. Printing techniques may be used to manufacture the biopolymer optical waveguides.

Labels

There is described a label comprising a self supporting sheet of a biopolymer (preferably cellulose (e.g. regenerated cellulose), cellulose acetate and/or PLA) said sheet being substantially transparent to visible light when uncoated characterised in that the sheet comprises: (a) a first coating on at least one surface thereof to aid printability thereon; (b) a second coating comprising an adhesive dispersible in an aqueous medium; and (c) optionally a third coating to modify water permeability through the sheet. The labels are to be applied to articles such as glass containers. Preferred labels are wet glue cellulose labels for example where the first coating also comprises a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate to aid water permeability and hence rapid drying of the label on an article.

Fibers with isolated biomolecules and uses thereof

The present invention relates to compositions, methods, and uses for isolated biomolecule-containing fibers. The invention also relates to isolated, elongated biopolymers such as nucleic acids, polypeptides, lipids, and carbohydrates within fibers. The invention relates to methods of detecting and analyzing biomolecules in fibers using light, electrons, and neutrons. The invention further relates to methods of determining the sequence, structure, and properties of isolated, elongated biopolymers fixed within fibers.

Process for fixing images in plastics, adhesive layer and fixed image

A method for fixing images in plastic moldings which allows images to be fixed in a plastic molding in such a way that the image is embedded therein and does not experience lasting changes, even for elastic plastic moldings. To avoid loss of image quality when the image is transferred into the plastic molding, the method for fixing images in plastic moldings after generating an image on an adhesive layer is characterized in that an image receptor layer of liquid plastic is applied to the image which, with or without an additional carrier, is generated on the adhesive layer. Components of the adhesive layer are at least partially miscible with the liquid plastic when it is applied. The liquid plastic phase is then converted to a solid plastic phase.

Production of pulp and materials utilizing pulp from fibrous proteins

A pulp material that comprises a fibrous protein fiber is suitable for incorporation into paper or paper composites. The fibrous protein of the fibrous protein fiber is typically a keratin, fibrin, collagen, or elastin. Preferably, the fibrous protein is a collagen, such as a β-keratin. The β-keratin can be obtained from avian feathers, such as chicken feathers. The pulp material can further comprise at least one additive such as mordants. dyes. binders. foaming agents. hardeners. chemical sizing agents, fillers. wetting agents. plant fibers, or animal fibers. The pulp material can be treated with a crosslinking agent or an oxidizing agent. Other aspects of the invention include a biodegradable polymer comprising the pulp material and a filter comprising the pulp material. Still another aspect of the invention is a composite material comprising: (1) the pulp material; and (2) a fiber selected from the group consisting of an animal fiber and a plant fiber. Still another aspect of the invention is a multilayer material comprising: (1) a first layer that is the pulp material; and (2) a second layer including a material selected from the group consisting of paper and a biopolymer.

Remotely programmable matrices with memories

Combinations, called matrices with memories, of matrix materials with remotely addressable or remotely programmable recording devices that contain at least one data storage unit are provided. The matrix materials are those that are used in as supports in solid phase chemical and biochemical syntheses, immunoassays and hybridization reactions. The data storage units are preferably non-volatile antifuse memories. By virtue of this combination, molecules and biological particles, such as phage and viral particles and cells, that are in proximity or in physical contact with the matrix combination can be labeled by programming the memory with identifying information and can be identified by retrieving the stored information. Combinations of matrix materials, memories, and linked molecules and biological materials are also provided. The combinations have a multiplicity of applications, including combinatorial chemistry, isolation and purification of target macromolecules, capture and detection of macromolecules for analytical purposes, selective removal of contaminants, enzymatic catalysis, chemical modification and other uses. Methods for electronically tagging molecules are biological particles and matrix support materials and immunoassays and and other methods are also provided.

Biopolymer sensor and method of manufacturing the same

A method of manufacturing a biopolymer sensor including providing a biopolymer, processing the biopolymer to yield a biopolymer matrix solution, adding a biological material in the biopolymer matrix, providing a substrate, casting the matrix solution on the substrate, and drying the biopolymer matrix solution to form a solidified biopolymer sensor on the substrate. A biopolymer sensor is also provided that includes a solidified biopolymer film with an embedded biological material.

Dendritic macromolecule compositions for use in golf balls

A golf ball including a core, a cover, and, optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein at least one of the core, cover layer, or optional intermediate layer includes at least one dendritic macromolecule.